​

​

My dad was in WWII. He was a recon man. Slept in the trenches. Participated in freeing one of the camps. Then, when it was over, he came home. I doubt he ever got post-traumatic treatment.

We were allowed to watch our cartoons on Saturday mornings, but he watched 'You were there' with Walter Cronkite after our cartoons. He watched this religiously every Saturday for years.

It wasn't until I myself lived through the '73 war in Israel. One thing that helped those soldiers, especially ones who had been captured, tortured and released, was to talk about it, be recognized and listened to. Dad didn't have that either.

Living through the war affected me more than I realized until after I came back to the US. I personally met and talked with some Israeli soldiers. I realized that living on the edge of death makes everything intense. Colors. Smells, Life itself. For some, this state is actually exciting. I don't know how they do it, in Israel. They are always in this state, especially recently.

It took my dad years to stop reliving the war. I believe that, compared to his experience in the war, civilian life, working for the government, was boring. In his second marriage, he took up drinking again.

He died before 9/11. I don't think he ever realized his full potential.

Why I like my neighbors: they are like family. Individual family members are each different in their own ways. I haven't chosen them, but they are a regular part of my life. They are not like co-workers. They are not like professionals with similar backgrounds to mine. They are not necessarily people I would choose to go out to art shows or movies with. However, we check on each other regularly. Maybe someone is not feeling well, we help with garbage removal, or headache medicine, or just a listening ear.We check on each other's 'community' cats. If cats are in need of some homeopathic remedy, we find solutions. For example, Pompom, who is one of the neighborhood's favorite cats, had a rash; I looked for an available remedy and found that applying a catnip solution would help, and it did. If a cat is loose and not used to being outside, we find him. My next door neighbor has an orange tabby that visits me twice a day for food and affection. She helps pay for his food because he eats a lot. If there is a need of a vet visit, someone will help bring me instead of riding the bus with a scared cat on the bus.

​In Florida, we face frightening hurricanes. It is so comforting to know that there are friendly people close by to help get through this challenging weather. We also do yard sales together. And decorate the complex for Christmas.. When I lived in NYC, I had friends, but I can't say I was involved with my neighbors. There are so many people there living in close quarters that it was almost better to keep a distance. I like my neighbors. It's a blessing!